Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Ms. fr. 616 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)

Paris (France) — Ca. 1405–1410

The passion for hunting in a magnificently illuminated manuscript: the standard work written by Count Gaston Phoebus on hunting techniques as well as the care and training of dogs and horses

  1. One of the greatest gems of French illumination is the authoritative late medieval source on hunting

  2. Informative concerning different hunting techniques as well as the training and care of dogs and horses

  3. The text was written by the Count of Foix, Gaston Phoebus III (1331–1391), a passionate hunter

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse

Facsimile Copy Available!
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  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (3)
Description
Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse

The Livre de la Chasse or Book of the Hunt by Gaston Phoebus is the authoritative source on hunting in the Late Middle Ages and is one of the greatest gems of French illumination to survive today. It features 87 miniatures embellished with the generous application of gold leaf, but what makes the text unique is its author: the Count of Foix, Gaston "Phoebus" III. This manuscript belongs among a select few that were authored by members of the medieval nobility, such as the Art of Falconry by Frederick II. Originally composed in the 1380's, the text was transformed into a luxury manuscript in a Parisian workshop during the early 15th century. The manuscript comprehensively deals with the subject of hunting, and Gaston III even devotes considerable space to the hunter's greatest resource: dogs, and as such comments not only on breeding and training dogs but on their character as well.

Gaston Phoebus: Le livre de la chasse

The Livre de la Chasse by Gaston Phoebus, which was later to be translated into English under the title of Book of the Hunt, is one of the most precious gems ever produced in medieval French workshops with illumination of outstanding quality. Its 87 miniatures are mostly painted on "stencil pattern" backgrounds and are unique in book painting, most of them richly embellished with gold. They present animals and lively hunting scenes with an unequalled sense of nature. The manuscript enjoyed great popularity for its text as well, which is written in excellent French and is of great significance for the history of hunting. The author, Gaston III Count of Foix, surnamed Phoebus, probably because of his bright blond hair, wrote this sophisticated piece of literature in the 1380's. He was an excellent, experienced master of the art and practice of hunting. It is to him that we owe our general knowledge on the art of hunting as it was practiced in the 14th century.

The Sumptuous Miniatures

The miniatures pay homage to the hunting tradition on a very high artistic level. They are the work of a team of artists who were active in a Parisian workshop of the early 15th century. The artfully designed and lavishly decorated backgrounds of the miniatures remind us of tapestries in a small format. This background painting required much patience and extreme precision and was the work of specialized craftsmen. The illumination of the book was performed in two stages: first, the figures, animals, surrounding landscape and different objects, were painted. In this phase, the artists impress us not least with realistic, detailed illustrations and the vivacity of figures. Then the rich floral ornaments were added. The delicate thorny leaf ornaments have a very special charm. Winding around the miniatures and numerous initials in red and blue on gilded ground, they are dispersed throughout the manuscript for the enjoyment of the reader.

All about Hunting

In his Book of the Hunt, Gaston Phoebus describes the animals of the chase, their character and behavior. Besides surprising and curious details, the reader will find extended passages of familiar facts and even modern tricks of the trade allowing him to reflect his own experience and see whether the evidence allows for bridging the gap of 600 years of intellectual history. Gaston also dedicates much of his book to the dog, the most faithful companion of the hunter. He indulges in reflections on the dog’s character, but also on diverse breeds and their appearance. One also finds rules of behavior for the correct training and care of these animals which are essential to the hunt. The passionate hunter also deals with coursing, the pursuit of game by hounds hunting by sight, in detail.

A Very Popular Work

At a time when hunting played a major role in noble circles, the great echo made by the Book of the Hunt by Gaston Phoebus was only natural. It immediately became very popular and very soon its fame extended far beyond the borders of France, especially to England. The text became a true best seller and was often copied, translated, illustrated and – with the invention of the printed book – published in numerous editions.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Gaston Phoebus - The Book of Hunt
Buch der Jagd von Gaston Phoebus
Jagdbuch des Mittelalters
Libro de la Caza
Size / Format
275 pages / 37.0 × 28.0 cm
Origin
France
Date
Ca. 1405–1410
Style
Language
Illustrations
87 hunting scenes in vivid miniatures, mostly painted on ”stencil pattern” backgrounds; rich floral ornaments
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Poitier family
Bernardo III Clesio (1484–1539), Bishop of Trento
Archduke Ferdinand I of Tyrol (1503–64), Holy Roman Emperor
King Louis XIV of France (1638–1715)
Louis Alexandre de Bourbon (1678–1737), Count of Toulouse
Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon (1725–93), Duke of Penthièvre
Orléans family
King Louis Philippe I of France (1773–1850)

Available facsimile editions:
Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Ms. fr. 616 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 1976

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse – Edilan – Ms. fr. 616 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Edilan – Madrid, 1977

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse – M. Moleiro Editor – Ms. fr. 616 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2017
Limited Edition: 987 copies
Detail Picture

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse

A Successful Boar Hunt

Wild boar are some of the most dangerous of all game animals, not only willing to attack humans, but known to still be perilous even when fatally wounded. Even with the assistance of fierce dogs, facing off with a boar, spear in hand, was about as close to combat as a knight could get in times of peace. This scene presents the aftermath of a successful boar hunt: one man is field dressing the beast while others build a fire, tend to the dogs, and cut vegetables.

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Ms. fr. 616 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Single Page

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse

On Hunting Rabbits

This page is remarkable both for its artistry and for its density of information. The scene unfolds before an intricately-patterned background of red and gold and is contained within a colorful, patterned, and gilded frame. A full range of greens ranging from dark to light give a sense of depth in the scene, contrasted by the red-orange of the fire being set.

Amidst the trees and bushes, numerous hunters and dogs are pursuing the rabbits. Two nervously stick their heads out of their holes, while other holes have been blocked with sticks to deny the rabbits’ escape to their underground refuges. Four rabbits have been caught, one in a snare, another by a hunting dog, and the other two are slung over the shoulder of a hunter in a blue tunic.

Gaston Phoebus - Le livre de la chasse – Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Ms. fr. 616 – Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Gaston Phoebus - Le Livre de la chasse

Binding: Suede leather, protected with the commentary volume in a half leather slipcase
Commentary: 1 volume by Marcel Thomas and François Avril
Language: German
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €
(under 1,000€)

#2 Libro de la Caza

Edilan – Madrid, 1977

Publisher: Edilan – Madrid, 1977
Binding: Leather
Commentary: 1 volume by Thomas Marcel, François Avril, Robert Bossuat, and André Bossuat
Language: Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)

#3 Libro de la Caza

M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2017

Publisher: M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 2017
Limited Edition: 987 copies
Binding: Moroccan leather with gold embossing, protected by a leather slipcase
Commentary: 1 volume by Claude d’Anthenaise, Yves Christe, Claudine Pailhès, Inès Villela-Petit and Pascal Bergerault
Language: Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
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